Health Risk Assessments Based on the Contents of Heavy Metals in Sarajevo Urban Soil

The aim of this study was to assess risks posed to human health based on contents of heavy metals found in soil in Sarajevo urban area. The contents of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Se and As have been measured and the hazard coefficient (HQ), non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (RI) have been calculated. Overall, HQ and HI were lower than the safe limit of 1, indicating that there is no direct risk to human health from heavy metals in the investigated area; however, these levels should be monitored in a long-term perspective. Our results suggest that children are at higher risks than the adults due to their contact with potentially polluted soil. The soil contaminated with heavy metals can be used as a diagnostic tool for health risk assessments.